Gregg Easterbrook writes a lot of ridiculous stuff on other subjects, but he does know his football.
Now here’s a gambling tip. As TMQ notes, my compromise with my Baptist upbringing is to be pro-topless but anti-gambling. Wagering only brings regret and sorrow. But if you’re making the harmless $5 workplace wager on the NFL playoffs, bet the home teams this weekend. Home teams in the NFL divisional round are the surest thing in sports. Since the current playoff format was adopted in 1990, home teams in the divisional round are 51-13, a .796 winning figure. Usually the reason the home teams are home in the first place is that they are better than the wild-card teams. Equally important, in the divisional round the home teams have spent a bye week relaxing in hot tubs while their opponents were out in the cold being pounded. Home teams dominate the NFL divisional round, so check-mark them in your office pool. You don’t even need to know which team is playing!
A week later in the championship round, the home advantage dissipates. Since 1990, home teams in conference championship games are 18-14, a .562 winning figure.
He’s got more, especially on the inflation of football coach value (real and perceived).
Interesting, very interesting: “From the point Tony Romo was named to the Pro Bowl, Dallas lost all remaining games.”
And even more interesting, he just takes Nick Saban apart.
Remember: “Home teams in the NFL divisional round are the surest thing in sports.”